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How to design a tiny home in NZ: important things to consider

How to design a tiny home in NZ: important things to consider

11 Feb 2023

A Guide to Design Offices in Tiny Houses
A Guide to Design Offices in Tiny Houses
A Guide to Design Offices in Tiny Houses
A Guide to Design Offices in Tiny Houses

Living in tiny homes is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and New Zealand is no exception. If you are thinking of designing and building your own tiny home in NZ, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

Living in tiny homes is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and New Zealand is no exception. If you are thinking of designing and building your own tiny home in NZ, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

In This Blog Post

  • Important factors when designing tiny homes.

  • A brief look into some of the regulations for tiny homes in NZ.

In This Blog Post

  • Important factors when designing tiny homes.

  • A brief look into some of the regulations for tiny homes in NZ.

Scandi - How to design a tiny home in NZ
Scandi - How to design a tiny home in NZ
Scandi - How to design a tiny home in NZ
Scandi - How to design a tiny home in NZ

What is a Tiny Home?

A tiny home is a small, self-contained home that is around 20m2. They can be up to 10 meters long, while their width should not exceed 3m. We suggest maximum dimensions of 8.5 meters long by 2.4 meters wide or less to be fully road legal.

Why is their popularity increasing?

Tiny homes are becoming popular worldwide as, despite their small size, tiny homes feature everything that a standard house has by using a small space efficiently.

There are many reasons why people decide to live in tiny houses: from wanting to downsize and simplify their lives, to reduce their environmental impact, or simply because they can't afford to live in a traditional home.

What is a Tiny Home?

A tiny home is a small, self-contained home that is around 20m2. They can be up to 10 meters long, while their width should not exceed 3m. We suggest maximum dimensions of 8.5 meters long by 2.4 meters wide or less to be fully road legal.


Why is their popularity increasing?

Tiny homes are becoming popular worldwide as, despite their small size, tiny homes feature everything that a standard house has by using a small space efficiently.

There are many reasons why people decide to live in tiny houses: from wanting to downsize and simplify their lives, to reduce their environmental impact, or simply because they can't afford to live in a traditional home.

Tiny Home NZ - Scandi
Tiny Home NZ - Scandi
Tiny Home NZ - Scandi
Tiny Home NZ - Scandi

Important Things To Consider Before Designing

Now that we have answered the question "what is a tiny home" and given some reasons why they are becoming popular in NZ, let's take a look at some of the things you need to consider when designing your own tiny home.

Important Things To Consider Before Designing

Now that we have answered the question "what is a tiny home" and given some reasons why they are becoming popular in NZ, let's take a look at some of the things you need to consider when designing your own tiny home.

Petite Maison - Tiny Homes NZ
Petite Maison - Tiny Homes NZ
Petite Maison - Tiny Homes NZ
Petite Maison - Tiny Homes NZ

Types of Spaces

Types of Spaces

What spaces will you need?

You'll need to consider how you will use the space in your tiny home. Will it be for living, working, or both?

If you’re looking for more information on types of spaces in tiny houses check out our previous blogs here!

What spaces will you need?

You'll need to consider how you will use the space in your tiny home. Will it be for living, working, or both?

If you’re looking for more information on types of spaces in tiny houses check out our previous blogs here!

Key Questions

Below are some essential questions to answer before beginning your tiny house's layout.

  • One or two-level (mezzanine) tiny house?

  • Will you need to have a place for guests?

  • Do you need a spot for your pets?

  • One or two bedrooms? Or more?

  • Do you need office space?

Key Questions

Below are some essential questions to answer before beginning your tiny house's layout.

  • One or two-level (mezzanine) tiny house?

  • Will you need to have a place for guests?

  • Do you need a spot for your pets?

  • One or two bedrooms? Or more?

  • Do you need office space?

Scandi Interior Axo - Front
Scandi Interior Axo - Front
Scandi Interior Axo - Front
Scandi Interior Axo - Front
Scandi Interior Axo - Back
Scandi Interior Axo - Back
Scandi Interior Axo - Back
Scandi Interior Axo - Back

Layout & Room Arrangement

Layout & Room Arrangement

Tiny House Floor Plans - Tiny House NZ - Scandi
Tiny House Floor Plans - Tiny House NZ - Scandi
Tiny House Floor Plans - Tiny House NZ - Scandi
Tiny House Floor Plans - Tiny House NZ - Scandi

Tiny Easy Scandi Design - Ground Floor Plan. If you're wanting to find out more about Scandi click here!

Are you considering an open or closed floor plan?

The layout is a fundamental factor relating to the end quality of your tiny house! Getting the layout right will determine how comfortable and functional your tiny house will be.

For the best layout…

Try to make the layout flow from one room to another so that you can easily move through your tiny home. Keep in mind which spaces you would like to keep together and those you want apart. Room arrangements will be essential, especially if you want open-plan living in your tiny home.

Tiny Easy Scandi Design - Ground Floor Plan. If you're wanting to find out more about Scandi click here!


Are you considering an open or closed floor plan?

The layout is a fundamental factor relating to the end quality of your tiny house! Getting the layout right will determine how comfortable and functional your tiny house will be.

For the best layout…

Try to make the layout flow from one room to another so that you can easily move through your tiny home. Keep in mind which spaces you would like to keep together and those you want apart. Room arrangements will be essential, especially if you want open-plan living in your tiny home.

Exteriors

Exteriors

How do you want your tiny house to look?

The exterior of your tiny house will be the first thing people see. Be sure to choose a style and colour scheme that will complement the surroundings and make your tiny house your own.

How do you want your tiny house to look?

The exterior of your tiny house will be the first thing people see. Be sure to choose a style and colour scheme that will complement the surroundings and make your tiny house your own.

Tiny Haus - Tiny Homes NZ
Tiny Haus - Tiny Homes NZ
Tiny Haus - Tiny Homes NZ
Tiny Haus - Tiny Homes NZ
Haus of 99 - Tiny Homes NZ
Haus of 99 - Tiny Homes NZ
Haus of 99 - Tiny Homes NZ
Haus of 99 - Tiny Homes NZ

Sizes of Tiny Homes

Sizes of Tiny Homes

How much space to you need?

The size of your tiny house is a significant design consideration. The size will be a large factor in determining the final cost of the tiny house. We suggest reducing the floor space as much as possible while maintaining comfort, of course!

How much space to you need?

The size of your tiny house is a significant design consideration. The size will be a large factor in determining the final cost of the tiny house. We suggest reducing the floor space as much as possible while maintaining comfort, of course!

Appliances In Your Tiny Home

Appliances In Your Tiny Home

You'll also need to decide what features, fixtures and appliances will go in your tiny house. Such as choosing between a bar fridge or full fridge, a shower, or a combined shower and bath. Also, consider the quality of these appliances, as this will impact your budget.

You'll also need to decide what features, fixtures and appliances will go in your tiny house. Such as choosing between a bar fridge or full fridge, a shower, or a combined shower and bath. Also, consider the quality of these appliances, as this will impact your budget.

The Snug - Piha Tiny House
The Snug - Piha Tiny House
The Snug - Piha Tiny House
The Snug - Piha Tiny House
The Snug - Piha Tiny House
The Snug - Piha Tiny House
The Snug - Piha Tiny House
The Snug - Piha Tiny House

P.s. If you’re looking for more information, we’ve broken down all the features and appliances in these blogs here:

P.s. If you’re looking for more information, we’ve broken down all the features and appliances in these blogs here:

Storage

Storage

Think about how much storage space you will need. Every bit of space needs to be well-utilised in a tiny home, so get creative!

Think about how much storage space you will need. Every bit of space needs to be well-utilised in a tiny home, so get creative!

Kitchen Cabinetry - Tiny House - Petite Maison
Kitchen Cabinetry - Tiny House - Petite Maison
Kitchen Cabinetry - Tiny House - Petite Maison
Kitchen Cabinetry - Tiny House - Petite Maison
Kitchen Cabinetry - Tiny House - Petite Maison
Kitchen Cabinetry - Tiny House - Petite Maison
Kitchen Cabinetry - Tiny House - Petite Maison
Kitchen Cabinetry - Tiny House - Petite Maison

Make It Work For You

Make It Work For You

Personalise to suit your taste!

Ensure your design is compatible with your lifestyle by creating a layout that works best for you. If you love entertaining, consider an open plan arrangement, so you don't feel short on space while entertaining.

Personalise to suit your taste!

Ensure your design is compatible with your lifestyle by creating a layout that works best for you. If you love entertaining, consider an open plan arrangement, so you don't feel short on space while entertaining.

Budget For Your Tiny Home

Budget For Your Tiny Home

Finally, don't forget to budget! Building a tiny home can be cheaper than building a regular house, but it will still cost money. Make sure you have a realistic budget and plan out how much each component costs so that there are no surprises during construction.

Costs of Tiny Homes in NZ

Tiny homes in NZ can range from $50,000 (DIY-style) to $250,000 (high-end built by builder).

Finally, don't forget to budget! Building a tiny home can be cheaper than building a regular house, but it will still cost money. Make sure you have a realistic budget and plan out how much each component costs so that there are no surprises during construction.


Costs of Tiny Homes in NZ

Tiny homes in NZ can range from $50,000 (DIY-style) to $250,000 (high-end built by builder).

Tiny Homes NZ & Building Regulations

Tiny Homes NZ & Building Regulations

Now that we have looked at some of the things you need to consider when designing tiny homes let's take a brief look at the building regulations that apply in NZ.

Now that we have looked at some of the things you need to consider when designing tiny homes let's take a brief look at the building regulations that apply in NZ.

Use The Guidelines

The NZ Building Code

  • Sets out the minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings. This is a great resource for making sure your tiny house construction will be fit for purpose.

  • Find the NZBC here!

MBIE Tiny House Guidelines

  • Clarifies rules applying to tiny houses, particularly for tiny houses on wheels in New Zealand.

  • Find the MBIE tiny house guidelines here!

Use The Guidelines

The NZ Building Code

  • Sets out the minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings. This is a great resource for making sure your tiny house construction will be fit for purpose.

  • Find the NZBC here!

MBIE Tiny House Guidelines

  • Clarifies rules applying to tiny houses, particularly for tiny houses on wheels in New Zealand.

  • Find the MBIE tiny house guidelines here!

Keeping it Classified as a Road Vehicle

If you are designing and planning to build a tiny house on wheels, make sure you stick to these guidelines:

  • Your tiny house should be no wider than 2.55 meters wide to be classified as a road vehicle.

  • To stay well within the restrictions, we recommend keeping your tiny house to 2.4 meters wide and 8.5 meters long.

  • Make sure to keep your tiny house under 3.5 tons.

Keeping it Classified as a Road Vehicle

If you are designing and planning to build a tiny house on wheels, make sure you stick to these guidelines:

  • Your tiny house should be no wider than 2.55 meters wide to be classified as a road vehicle.

  • To stay well within the restrictions, we recommend keeping your tiny house to 2.4 meters wide and 8.5 meters long.

  • Make sure to keep your tiny house under 3.5 tons.

Summary

If you're considering a tiny home, we hope these tips will help you make the right decision and save money in the process! We can't wait to see what you come up with as you design and build your own tiny house.

Summary

If you're considering a tiny home, we hope these tips will help you make the right decision and save money in the process! We can't wait to see what you come up with as you design and build your own tiny house.

Got an idea For your dream tiny house?

level up your tiny house design with our online 3D Tiny House Design Software!

Got an idea For your dream tiny house?

level up your tiny house design with our online 3D Tiny House Design Software!

Got an idea For your dream tiny house?

level up your tiny house design with our online 3D Tiny House Design Software!

Keep Learning!

Keep Learning!